ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Metro Series rivalry renews on Saturday as the Golden Grizzlies and Detroit Mercy Titans square off in the rivalry season finale. With the regular season entering the final stretch, both teams will look to use the rivalry atmosphere as a spark as they battle for position in the league standings.

Oakland enters the weekend at 8-15 overall (5-8 HL), as they sit in the eighth seed spot in the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzlies have been competitive in recent outings, falling in the final seconds against Northern Kentucky last time out. Despite the loss, Oakland tallied four more threes than the Norse (9 to 5), continuing their hot streak of shooting from deep in conference play. 

Detroit Mercy comes into Saturday's contest at 4-18 overall and 2-11 in league action, looking to turn the corner and pick up a key road win against their crosstown rival. They have lost 11 straight contests as they sit in last place in the Horizon League. They are aiming to earn their first win since Dec. 21.

For Oakland, much of the offensive production starts with Makenzie Luehring, who has emerged as one of the team's primary scoring options this season. The guard leads the Golden Grizzlies in scoring (13.1 ppg), having scored 20+ points in four consecutive games, including a career-high 26 against NKU. Layla Gold has also been a key factor, providing physicality and production inside while contributing on the glass and at both ends of the floor, averaging 9.4 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. Oakland's balanced attack and ability to spread scoring across its rotation have made the Grizzlies a tough matchup, especially at home.

In recent Metro Series history, Oakland has been dominant at home, winning seven straight contests at home against the Titans, dating all the way back to 2017.
The two squads, Oakland and Detroit Mercy, met last on Jan. 18, where Oakland rolled to a decisive 80-70 win on the road. In the game Oakland had four double-figure scorers, as Luehring (25 pts), Layla Gold (13 pts), Filippa Goula (12 pts), and Jazzy Dupree-Hebert (10 pts) all helped Oakland earn the win. The defense of the Golden Grizzlies also stood tall, holding the Titans to .406 field goal shooting and just three made triples.
 
The Golden Grizzlies will look to contain Detroit guard Myonna Hooper, who tallied a season-high 22 points against Oakland earlier in the season.

Saturday's matchup figures to be a physical, high-energy contest. Oakland will look to capitalize on home-court advantage and recent competitive performances, while Detroit Mercy aims to play spoiler and come away with a statement win against its rival. With pride, momentum, and conference positioning all at stake, the stage is set for another spirited chapter in this long-standing Horizon League rivalry.